The decision came despite the urging of City Manager John Davidson and contract attorney Adrian Guerra, who said declaring sauce maker Huy Fung Foods a public nuisance would provide the necessary leverage to demand changes at the factory.

Council members said they wanted to give the company time to work with the South Coast Air Quality Management District to identify a solution to the factory’s spicy smell problem, which has prompted ongoing complaints from residents and a lawsuit by the city last year.

“We have never taken any action to shut down the factory,” said Mayor Mark Breceda. “But when we get complaints, we want to work with the company to fix them.”